Chances are The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore isn’t the first place you might think about visiting to learn how to successfully run a nonprofit organization. But that’s exactly the aim of the Teen Leaders Institute, a winter-long service learning program offered to high school juniors and seniors looking for experience with skills needed to run a successful nonprofit. For eight Saturday mornings from Jan. 30 through Mar. 19, 2016, Institute students will participate in hands-on learning activities, group service projects, and presentations to develop job readiness skills such as event planning, finance, marketing, human resources, customer services, and volunteer management. It’s a great place to learn universal skills, too, like public speaking, team work, problem-solving, resume writing, and leadership. And successful participants are eligible to apply for a paid summer work experience at the zoo.

Applicants must complete an online application and participate in an interview with zoo staff. Applications must be received by Monday, Dec. 12, 2015. To apply for the 2016 Teen Leaders Institute, visit www.marylandzoo.org/teenleaders. For more information, call 443-552-5266 or email volunteers@marylandzoo.org.

The New York Times, in collaboration with Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, is challenging students, ages 13 to 19, to create original editorial cartoons, based on stories covered by the Times. The deadline for entries is Oct. 20, 2015. Winning entries will be displayed on nytimes.com. For more information, including a video offering helpful tips, please visit click here.

Every October, arts organizations open their doors to offer Baltimore area families free performances, exhibits, workshops and more to showcase all the richness of the arts in Baltimore. Free Fall Baltimore encourages families to participate. More than 300 events will take place, but some of the events may require advance reservations. Some of the organizations participating this year are the American Visionary Art Museum, Bach Concert Series, Baltimore Hoop Love, the Baltimore Museum of Industry, and Charm City Fringe.

To see a complete list of activities and to see if reservations are needed, visit the events page at http://www.freefallbaltimore.org/events If you are unable to attend an event after making a reservation, contact the presenting organization and cancel so that someone else is able to attend the event.

Have something to say about local or national issues? Have ideas about possible solutions?

As part of this year’s Baltimore County African American Festival, students will have the floor to speak up on whatever topics interest them. The festival, which typically attracts 50,000 participants over the course of the day, will be held this year on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Towson Courthouse in downtown Towson. The Speak Out & Be Heard session for students will take place from 9 to 11 a.m. and students are asked to register in advance by emailing EduVillage@yahoo.com.

Innovators, thinkers, makers, doers…all are invited to participate in the 4th Annual Baltimore Hackathon. Participants will have 48 hours to blend technology into a product people can wear OR to use software or hardware to solve a problem, create a product, start a business, etc. Folks can compete in teams with up to five members and prizes up to $2,000 will be awarded. High school students are welcome to participate, but they must show their school ID, and, if they are under 18, their parents must be present with them on the first evening. Registration for high school students is free. More information and a registration link are available at www.baltimorehackathon.com.

The event will take place from 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18, 2015 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 20. The event will be held at Digital Harbor Foundation,1045 Light Street, Baltimore, MD 21230.

By Kaitlynn Hamby, intern, Department of Communications and Community Outreach

Pitzer’s Fall Diversity Program is a chance for high school seniors from underrepresented racial, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds from across the nation to experience Pitzer College’s atmosphere and to interact with Pitzer students, faculty, and staff. The program is being held on campus from Oct. 29 – 31, 2015. Pitzer College is located in Claremont, California, and the program is all-expenses-paid. The program’s attendees will stay with current students in the residence halls and will eat on-campus.

Applications are due by Friday, Sept. 18, 2015. An essay and a copy of the applicant’s unofficial transcript through junior year are required. All applicants will be notified of Pitzer’s decision by Sept. 28, 2015. For more information, as well as the application and the essay prompt, visit http://pitweb.pitzer.edu/admission/diversity-program/.

By Kaitlynn Hamby, intern, Department of Communications and Community Outreach

In its Multicultural Visit Program, Oberlin College offers selected high school seniors an all-expenses-paid trip to its campus. During the program, participants stay overnight with current students, attend classes, visit professors, and participate in admissions and financial aid workshops.

Oberlin College encourages seniors from diverse backgrounds, such as American Indian, Alaska Native, black/African-American, Hispanic/Latino, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander, to apply. They also encourage applications from low-income students and students who will be the first in their families to go to college, regardless of their cultural and/or racial background. They’re looking for high-achieving seniors who are serious about Oberlin and their education.

Applicants can apply to one of three upcoming weekend visits in the fall:

Weekend visit Application deadline

October 8-10, 2015 September 14, 2015

November 12-14, 2015 October 19, 2015

December 3-5, 2015 November 9, 2015

For more information, visit the Multicultural visit website at new.oberlin.edu/arts-and-sciences/admissions/mvp/ or contact Oberlin at multicultural.admissions@oberlin.edu or at 800-622-6243.